What Owners Expect from their Selected Design & Construction Teams
Upcoming Panel Discussion at Clemson’s 2017 Construction Symposium
Have you ever wished that you could “get inside an Owner’s head?” If so, you will have a unique opportunity next month to do just that when you attend Clemson University’s Second Annual Construction Industry Symposium on October 12 in Greenville, S.C.
Two construction professionals from the Carolinas — Clay Addison and Jon Papps — will provide insight from an Owner’s point of view during an interactive afternoon panel discussion titled, “Owners’ Expectations of Their Selected Design & Construction Teams.” After brief remarks by these “Owner’s representatives,” the session will become an open forum with ample time for audience members to ask questions.
Both panelists have extensive experience serving in an Owner’s capacity. Clay Addison, CCCA, CCP, LEED AP, is President of C.T. Addison Consulting based in Charlotte. Addison spent over 30 years working for retail owners in various positions before starting his own consulting business. Jon Papps, PMP, is Director of Facilities Development at Greenville Health System (GHS). He has 38 years of construction experience. For the past eight years, he has been responsible for managing all GHS contracting, the intern program, and mentorship for disadvantaged businesses.
GroundBreak Carolinas, media sponsor for the event, spoke with the two panelists to find out what attendees can expect to get out of this session.
GROUNDBREAK:
What kind of information will you be sharing?
We hope to shed light on Owner selection criteria in general as well as unique variables that are specific to the projects we undertake. We also plan on giving specific tips to both designers and contractors on what they can do to improve their chances of meeting that criteria. We will share our personal philosophies and use real-life examples to help attendees better understand the processes that Owners follow. We will also focus on expectations, offering candid advice as best we can to help people know how to prepare to meet those expectations… and how to avoid the pitfalls.
GROUNDBREAK:
Will you also be addressing team selection?
Yes, definitely. Team selection has its own unique set of criteria and expectations and is perhaps the one of the most important criteria to be considered in a selection process. Although team experience can be easily documented in a proposal process, demonstrating the chemistry of the team, identifying the communications skills of its members, and the overall effectiveness of that team in the delivery of a project is somewhat subjective. We will discuss some of those subjective things that we look for in our project teams to help us make our selections.
GROUNDBREAK:
Name some of the projects or achievements of which you are most proud.
Addison: Reconstruction of stores damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
Papps: The Denny’s headquarters in Spartanburg, the University of South Carolina (USC) School of Medicine – Greenville; and Clemson School of Nursing – Greenville. Giving back to the community and construction through mentoring of small disadvantaged businesses. Having an estimating background has been invaluable in understanding cost, scheduling and building systems.
GROUNDBREAK:
In your opinion, what’s the biggest difference in this industry today compared to when you started?
Addison: The level of quality work has dropped.
Papps: Technology has been both a help and a hindrance with faces glued to phones and computers resulting in less time in the field where the action is. I echo Clay that the quality of construction has dropped dramatically (witness the need for commissioning companies).
GROUNDBREAK:
What inspired you to pursue a career in construction? Tell us your story. How did you get your start?
Addison: I just love to build things.
Papps: I realized I never wanted to wear a tie and sit behind a desk; being part of building teams has always given me a thrill. Now knowing that everything we build improves healthcare makes coming to work each day that much sweeter. “Never say never” since I only delayed the inevitable of a tie and desk.
ABOUT THE PANELISTS
Clay Addison, CCCA, CCP, LEED AP, President of C.T. Addison Consulting, has spent over 30 years working for retail owners in various positions. Most recently, he was Director of Construction and Purchasing for Belk for 15 years. Addison is currently an independent consultant working with various clients providing construction management and audit services. He graduated from Clemson in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Building Science and Construction Management.
Jon Papps, PMP, Director of Facilities Development at Greenville Health System, has a construction industry career spanning nearly 40 years. For the past eight years, Jon has been responsible for managing all GHS contracting, the intern program, and mentorship for disadvantaged businesses. His signature project at GHS is the School of Medicine and he is currently working on the adjoining School of Nursing. Previously, Papps held various management positions as a general contractor for Fluor, O’Neal, and Aiken Mitchell. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Massachusetts. His professional credentials include Project Management Professional certification.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
The information-packed, one-day Symposium — presented by Clemson’s Construction Science and Management (CSM) Department — is expected to draw up to 300 participants from across the Carolinas, as well as a strong contingent from Georgia.
To register, CLICK HERE.
Questions? Contact Dr. Mike Jackson at 864.656.3878 or Deborah Anthony at 864.656.0181. Follow the Symposium on Facebook.com/ClemsonCSMConstructionSymposium/#
